EP3098497B1

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Publication number: EP3098497B1
Application number: EP16171543.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Crystal G. Young; James B. Watson; Snehal S Choksi; Daniele C. Brotto; Gabriel E Concari; Jesse P Hill; Keith Moore; Geoffrey S. Howard; Jonathan Kirkpatrick
Original assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Current assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2016-05-26
Publication date: 2018-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-26
Also published as: US20210041087A1; US20200263855A1; US11686454B2; US20190178472A1; US20160348879A1; EP3098497A1; US20230272901A1

Description

This application relates to a lighting apparatus, and a system for controlling the lighting apparatus.
Work lights capable of illuminating large construction jobsite are important, particularly during early phases of commercial construction jobsite activities, when sources and distribution of electrical power is limited. In addition, storage of work lights is often a problem in construction sites. What is needed is a work light capable of illuminating large areas, that is able to easily and efficiently stored and flexibility to work with various sources of electrical power.
Additionally, in large work sites, management and control of work lights positioned at different locations throughout the work site is difficult. What is needed is an effective centralized mechanism for management of the work lights.US2006/204328 discloses a light apparatus according to the pre-characterising portion ofclaim 1.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a lighting apparatus is provided comprising: a base portion defining an axial opening; a main portion located above the base portion and having a generally-cylindrical upper portion; and a light module secured to a top portion of the generally-cylindrical upper portion of the main portion. In an embodiment, the axial opening of the base portion is sized to receive at least a light module of another lighting apparatus therein in a stacked position.
In an embodiment, the base portion includes a generally-cylindrical body having four legs formed around the axial opening.
In an embodiment, the generally-cylindrical upper body of the main portion includes a smaller diameter than the axial opening of the base portion.
In an embodiment, the main portion further includes a control housing portion housing a control circuit configured to control an operation of the lighting module. In an embodiment, the main portion further includes a keypad, a battery receptacle, and an AC plug. In an embodiment, the control circuit includes an AC-to-DC converter to convert AC power from the AC plug to DC power to power the light module. In an embodiment, the control circuit is configured to supply electric power from a battery pack plugged into the battery receptacle when no AC power is detected from the AC plug. In an embodiment, the control circuit is configured to control at least one of a luminance intensity or light direction of the light module based on an input from the keypad.
In an embodiment, the main portion further includes two housing halves mated together around at least a lower portion of the main portion and mounted on the base portion, the axial opening extending between the two housing halves.
In an embodiment, each housing half includes radial ribs projecting inwardly from an inner surface therein around the axial opening. In an embodiment, the radial ribs include at least a first rib defining a first diameter of the axial opening corresponding to a diameter of the light module, and at least a second rib defining a second diameter of the axial opening corresponding to a diameter of the upper portion of the main portion. In an embodiment, the first rib is located around the light module of another light apparatus and the second rib located around the upper portion of the main portion of the other light apparatus in the stacked position.
In an embodiment, the light module includes a transparent cover, a generally-cylindrical heat sink mounted on the upper portion of the main body, and vertically-elongated printed circuit boards (PCBs) arranged on an outer circumference of the heat sink, and light-emitting devices (LEDs) mounted to each of the PCBs.
In another aspect of the invention, according to an embodiment, a lighting apparatus is provided, comprising: a light module; a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wirelessly with a computing device; and a controller configured to receive a control signal associated with at least one of a luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module from the computing device via the wireless communication unit and a control the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the lighting module based on the control signal.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit is configured to connect wirelessly to the computing device after a user's selection of the light apparatus from a list of available light apparatuses displayed to the user.
In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to receive an on/off signal associated with enabling or disabling the light apparatus from the computing device via the wireless communication unit and turn the light module on or off accordingly.
In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to supply the computing device a status signal indicative of the power level of a battery pack coupled to the light apparatus via the wireless communication unit.
In another aspect of the invention, according to an embodiment, a system is provided, comprising: at least one lighting apparatus having a light module, a wireless communication unit, and a controller configured to control a lighting operation of the light module; and a separate computing device for communicating wirelessly with the at least one lighting apparatus. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive a control signal associated with at least one of a luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module from the computing device via the wireless communication unit and control the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the lighting module based on the control signal.
In an embodiment, the computing device is configured to provide a display interface including a listing of the at least one lighting apparatus and receive a user selection of the at least one lighting apparatus.
In an embodiment, the computing device is configured to provide a display interface associated with the at least one lighting apparatus.
In an embodiment, the computing device is configured to receive a user selection of an action associated with at least one of the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module from the user and communicate the at least one of the luminance intensity of lighting direction to the controller via the wireless communication unit.
In an embodiment, the computing device is configured to receive a schedule associated with a lighting control of the at least one lighting apparatus and communicate the schedule to the controller via the wireless communication unit.
In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control at least one of an on/off function, the luminance intensity or the lighting direction of the light module based on the schedule.
Accordingly, there is provided a light apparatus according toclaim 1.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a work light, according to an embodiment;
Fig. 2 depicts another perspective view of the work light, according to an embodiment;
Figs. 3A and3B depict front and rear exploded perspective views of the work light, according to an embodiment;
Fig. 4 depicts bottom perspective view of the work light, according to an embodiment;
Fig. 5 depicts a bottom axial view work light, according to an embodiment;
Figs. 6A and6B depict side and cross-sectional views of two stacked work lights, according to an embodiment;
Fig. 7 depicts a network diagram of a work light connected to a computing device, according to an embodiment;
Fig. 8 depicts a block system diagram of the work light, according to an embodiment;
Figs. 9A and 9B depict graphical user interfaces displayed on the computing device for controlling one or more work lights, according to an embodiment; and
Fig. 10 depicts a flow chart diagram executed by the computing device, according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
The following description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Figs. 1 and2 depict front and rear perspective views of awork light 100 including abase portion 102, amain portion 104, and alight module 106, according to an embodiment.Figs. 3A and3B depicts front and rear exploded view of thesame work light 100, according to an embodiment. A detailed description of thework light 100 is provided herein with reference to these figures.
In an embodiment,base portion 102 includes a generallycylindrical body 114 defining a large opening and having fourlegs 110. Twohooks 112 may be additionally provided circumferentially on thebase body 114 betweenadjacent lets 110, in an embodiment. In an embodiment, atop surface 116 of thebase portion 102 includes a non-planar profile includingcurved portions 118 on top of thelegs 110 and provides a mounting surface for themain portion 104, as described below. In an embodiment, thetop surface 116 may additionally include upwardly-projecting posts orpins 119 for securing themain portion 104, as described below.
In an embodiment,main portion 104 includes amain body 120 and twohousing halves 104a, 104b mated together partially around themain body 120.
In an embodiment,main body 120 includes a generally-cylindricalupper portion 128 having a smaller diameter than thebody 114 of thebase portion 102. Theupper portion 128 of themain body 120 provides a mount and support structure for thelight module 106.Main body 120 additionally includes acontrol housing portion 123 for housing a control circuit used to control the operation of thelight module 106, as described later in detail.
In an embodiment, two oppositely-arrangedhandles 122 having gripping surfaces for the users to be able to lift thework light 100 are arranged circumferentially on two sides of themain body 120. Thehandles 122 are supported by thehousing halves 104a, 104b, as described below.Main body 120 includes akeypad 124 arranged on one side between thehandles 122 and abattery receptacle 126 arranged opposite thekeypad 124. In an embodiment,battery receptacle 126 may be provided with a removable door and a locking mechanism for the door so that the battery receptacle is covered when it is not being used.
In an embodiment, worklight 100 is additionally provided with a pair of male and female AC plugs 130 and 132. Themale AC plug 130 may be coupled to an AC power source (e.g., AC mains or a power generator) for supplying AC power to thework light 100. Female AC plug 132 receives electric power from themale AC plug 130, thus allowingmultiple work lights 100 to be daisy chained together in sequence. This arrangement allowmultiple work lights 100 to be powered via the same AC power source throughout the work site.
In an embodiment, the control circuit housed in thecontrol housing portion 123 of themain body 120 is electrically connected to thebattery receptacle 126, theAC plug 130, thekeypad 124, and thelight module 106. The control circuit supplies power optionally from themale AC plug 130 or thebattery receptacle 126 to thelight module 106 based on the control options selected by the user via thekeypad 124.
In an embodiment, the control circuit may be configured to supply electric power from the battery receptacle 126 (i.e., 20V Max DC power) as long as voltage is not detected from theAC plug 130. Once voltage is detected on theAC plug 130, thelight module 106 is no longer powered from thebattery receptacle 126. The switching mechanism (not shown) for the AC and battery power supplies may be, for example, a relay or other current-carrying switch.
In an embodiment, the control circuit may additionally include an AC-to-DC converter and/or an adaptor circuit to covert AC power from theAC plug 130 to DC power (e.g., 20V DC, or to a higher voltage level, e.g., 60V DC) suitable for thelight module 106. In an embodiment, the control circuit may also be provided with a charging unit (not shown) that charges a battery received in thebattery receptacle 126 when AC power is supplied via theAC plug 130.
A user may control the operation of the light module 106 (i.e., light dimming or other light setting) viakeypad 124. In an embodiment,keypad 124 may include multiple illumination modes for the user to select from. The illumination modes correspond to the amount of power received from the power supply and provide illumination within predetermined lumen ranges. In an embodiment, three illumination modes (e.g., left, right, both) may be provided for each of the power supply modes. Thekeypad 124 may additionally include up and down buttons for the user to increase or decrease the amount of illumination (i.e., light intensity) in each mode.
A Bluetooth™ receiver/transmitter may further be provided and coupled to the control circuit, as described later, allowing an operator to control the operation of thelight module 106 remotely via a smart phone or similar electronic device.
In an embodiment, thehousing halves 104a, 104b each include amating surface 140 that mate together around thecontrol housing portion 123 of themain body 120 via a plurality offasteners 105. Alower surface 142 of thehousing halves 104a, 104b rests on top of thetop portion 116 of thebase portion 102. Thelower surface 142 of thehousing halves 104a, 104b may include a corresponding profile as thetop portion 116 of thebase portion 102. Thelower surface 142 may further includepin receptacles 143 that receiveposts 119 of thetop portion 116 to secure thehousing halves 104a, 104b to thebase portion 102. Thehousing halves 104a, 104b, when mated together, hold themain body 120 at a distance above thebase portion 102.
In an embodiment,housing halves 104a, 104b include oppositely-formedopenings 146 that allow access to thekeypad 124 andbattery receptacle 126.Housing halves 104a, 104b also includeside openings 148 that mate together around thehandles 122 and circumferentially support thehandles 122 around themain body 120. Housing halves further include twoopenings 150, 151 near thelower surface 142 wheremale plug 130 andfemale plug 132 are situated.
In an embodiment,light module 106 includes a generally cylindrical transparent (e.g., plastic)cover 150 disposed around a generally-cylindrical heat sink 152 mounted on thetop portion 128 of themain body 120. A series of vertically-elongated printed circuit boards (PCBs) 156 are arranged on anouter circumference 154 of theheat sink 152. EachPCB 156 includes a series of light-emitting devices (LEDs) 158 mounted thereon.PCBs 156 provided a full 360 degrees of illumination around thework light 100. In an additional embodiment, a disc-shaped PCB (not shown) with LEDs may be mounted on a top surface of theheat sink 152 to provide additional illumination in a vertical direction.Heat sink 152 dissipates heat away from theLEDs 158.
In an alternative embodiment, particularly in lower-luminance applications where the LEDs do not generate substantial heat,light module 106 may include a single disc-shaped LED PCB mounted on thetop portion 128 of themain body 120 without a heat sink. Thelight module 106 in this embodiment may include a dome-shapeddeflector cover 150 to deflect and distribute light all around thework light 100.
There are many conventional design approaches for placing light devices above the floor or ground level. These include tripod stands or large footprint plastic housing designs. These types of devices present storage and transportability issues, and an overall concern for jobsite robustness. To address these problems for the jobsite, in an embodiment of the invention, worklight 100 of this disclosure is designed such that a user is able to stack multiple works lights on top of one another safely and securely. This design substantially improves storage and transportability of the work lights 100, allowingmultiple work lights 100 to be moved in, out, and around the jobsite simultaneously.
Figs 4 and5 depict perspective and axial views of an underside of thework light 100, according to an embodiment.Figs. 6A and6B depict side and cross-sectional views of twowork lights 100 in a stacked position, respectively. Features of thework light 100 related to its stackability are described herein with reference to these figures, and with continued reference toFigs. 3A and3B.
In an embodiment, eachwork light 100 includes a vertical (axial) opening 200 defined between thehousing halves 104a and 104, extending longitudinally from the large opening of thebase portion 102 previously discussed, to anunderside 202 of thecontrol housing portion 123 of themain body 120.
In an embodiment,housing halves 104a and 104b include spaced-apartradial ribs 204 projecting inwardly from an inner surface thereof. Whenhousing halves 104a and 104b are mated together,radial ribs 204 define spaced-apart annular rings forming openings that together define opening 200 in a longitudinal direction. In an embodiment,ribs 204 are sized to allowvertical opening 200 to receive thelight module 106 of anotherwork light 100 therein. This arrangement allowsmultiple work lights 100 to be stacked on top of one another.
In an embodiment, one or more of thelower ribs 204a are sized to widen a lower portion of theopening 200, such that when twowork lights 100 are stacked,lower ribs 204a of theupper work light 100 are disposed around an outer circumference of thetop portion 128 of themain body 120 of thelower work light 100. In this position, a top surface 127 of thetop portion 128 of themain body 120 engages a lower surface ofrib 204b disposed above thelower ribs 204a. A top surface 127 of thetop portion 128 of themain body 120 of thelower work light 100 provides a resting surface for theupper work light 100.
In this manner, according to an embodiment, opening 200 includes a firstcylindrical compartment 210 sized to receive alight module 106 of alower work light 100, and a secondcylindrical compartment 212 formed in thebase portion 102 having a larger diameter to receive at least a portion of themain body 120 of alower work light 100.
Another aspect of the invention is described herein with reference toFigs. 7-10.
US Patent Publication No. 2014/0107853 filed March 15, 2014, describes a system including a computing device, such as a personal computer, tablet, etc., in communication with power tools, battery packs, chargers, etc. via a wireless communication system such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, RF, etc. This system is employed, according to an embodiment of the invention, to enable wireless connectivity and control of the above-describedwork light 100 via a computing device, as described herein.
In an embodiment, as shown inFig. 7, acomputing device 250, such as a personal computer, tablet, mobile telephone, smartphone, etc. is provided.Computing device 250 is preferably connectable to aserver 270 via the Internet. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that computing device250 preferably connects to the Internet via a wireless communication circuit/protocol, such as Wi-Fi™, Bluetooth™, Zigbee™, 3G/4G™ data systems, etc.
In an embodiment,computing device 250 may be coupled to a variety of rotator or non-rotary power tools, battery packs, battery chargers, etc. via a wireless connection, as described inU.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0107853,U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0367134, andPCT Publication No. WO 2013/116303.Additionally,computing device 250 may be coupled to worklight 100 via awireless communication unit 300, described inFig. 8 below.Computing device 250 may include an application or program, as shown inFigs. 9A and 9B, that implements the steps shown in the flow chart ofFig. 10 below for controlling various operation of thework light 100.
Fig. 8 depicts a block system diagram of the electronic circuitry withinwork light 100. As shown in this figure, worklight 100 includes a wireless communication circuit, such as Wi-Fi™, Bluetooth™, Zibgee™, infrared, RF, etc., coupled to acontroller 302.Controller 302 may be a programmable chip, such as a micro-controller or micro-processor, or an integrated circuit (i.e., ASIC) chip configured to execute the processes described in this disclosure. Also coupled tocontroller 302 ismemory 304, which stores certain data (e.g., identifier for thework light 100, and executable code for controller 302) accessible by thecontroller 302.
As described above, worklight 100 may be powered by either anAC power source 306 viaAC plug 130, or aDC power source 308 viabattery receptacle 126. In an embodiment, an AC-to-DC converter 310 (e.g., an adaptor circuit including a bridge rectifier and a capacitor) may be provided to obtain DC voltage from theAC power source 306. In an embodiment, two electronic switches (e.g., FETs) 312, 314 are provided on the DC and AC power lines. These switches are used by thecontroller 302 to supply power from one of theAC power supply 306 orDC power supply 308.Controller 302 makes this decision based on detection of voltage on the AC power line. In addition, in an embodiment,controller 302 may control a switching operation of theswitches 312, 314 to control the amount of lamination via, e.g., a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control or other known method.
In an embodiment, worklight 100 provides a user the ability to select a mode of operation for turning on only the left half of thelight module 106, the right half of the light module, or the full 360 degree area of thelight module 106. This control may be implemented, in an embodiment viaswitches 316 and 318, which are controllable by thecontroller 302, and are coupled to theright LEDs 322 and leftLEDs 324.Controller 302 selectively turns one or bothswitches 316 and 318 ON to turn the left half, the right half, or thefull light module 106.
The user may control the described above features (i.e., light dimming, and mode of operation) using keys onkeypad 124, as described above. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the user may use acomputing device 250 to control these features, as described herein.
Figs. 9A and 9B depict exemplary interfaces 400, 420, provided via an app or a program oncomputing device 250 accessible by the user. When the user starts the app, the user is provided with a list of all work lights that thedevice 250 is connected on interface 400. The user may turn all the lights ON or OFF, and/or enable or disable all the lights, via this interface 400. The user may also select one light (e.g., Light 1), in which case the user is provided with a second interface 420. In this screen the user may view work light attributes such as battery light, usage, identity, etc. The user may also select a mode of operation (i.e., right, left, or both), and increase or decrease light intensity. The user may further be provided with the ability to program a schedule for the work light. The schedule may include, for example, when the light turns on and off (e.g., every day at 6pm to 10pm), the light intensity level, mode, etc.
Fig. 10 depicts an exemplary simplified flow diagram used by computingdevice 250 app or program to control the operation of awork light 100. In this flow diagram,computing device 250 connects wirelessly towireless communication units 300 of various work lights 100 (at 502). The app provides the user with a display interface 400 of all available work lights 100 (at 504). It is noted that the app may also provide the user with a list of all other connected devices such as chargers, battery packs, power tools, etc. It is also noted that the app may provide this display in the form of categories of connected products.
At 506, the app receives a selection of aparticular work light 100 from the user. Then at 508, the app displays interface 420 particular to thatwork light 100 to the user. The app then receives an action (e.g., change light intensity, enable, disable, mode, etc.) from the user (at 510). The app then proceeds to communicate that action to thework light 100controller 302 viawireless communication unit 300.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

A lighting apparatus comprising:
a base portion (102) defining an axial opening (200);
a main portion (104) located above the base portion (102)and having a generally-cylindrical upper portion (128); and
a light module (106) secured to a top portion of the generally-cylindrical upper portion (128) of the main portion (104),
wherein the axial opening (200) of the base portion (102) is sized to receive at least a light module (106) of another lighting apparatus therein in a stacked position;
characterized in that the main portion (102) further comprises two housing halves (104a, 104b) mated together around at least a lower portion of the main portion (102) and mounted on the base portion (102), the axial opening (200) extending between the two housing halves (104a, 104b), wherein each housing half (104a, 104b) comprises a plurality of radial ribs (204) projecting inwardly from an inner surface therein around the axial opening,the radial ribs (204) defining spaced apart annular rings forming openings that together define the axial opening (200) in a longitudinal direction;
wherein the plurality of radial ribs (204) include at least a first rib (204b) defining a first diameter of the axial opening (200) corresponding to a diameter of the light module (106), and at least a second rib (204a) defining a second diameter of the axial opening (200) corresponding to a diameter of the upper portion (128) of the main portion (104).
The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion (102) includes a generally-cylindrical body (114) having four legs (110) formed around the axial opening (200).
The lighting apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the generally-cylindrical upper body (128) of the main portion (104) includes a smaller diameter than the axial opening (200) of the base portion (102).
The lighting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main portion (104) further includes a control housing portion (123) housing a control circuit (302) configured to control an operation of the lighting module (106).
The lighting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main portion further comprises a keypad (124), a battery receptacle (126), and an AC plug (130, 132).
The lighting apparatus of claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the control circuit (302) comprises an AC-to-DC converter (310) to convert AC power from the AC plug (130, 132) to DC power to power the light module (106).
The lighting apparatus of claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the control circuit (302) is configured to supply electric power from a battery pack (308) plugged into the battery receptacle (126) when no AC power is detected from the AC plug (130, 132).
The light apparatus of claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the control circuit (302) is configured to control at least one of a luminance intensity or light direction of the light module (106) based on an input from the keypad (124).
The light apparatus of any of the previous claims, wherein the first rib (204b) is located around the light module (106) of another light apparatus and the second rib located around the upper portion (128) of the main portion (104) of the other light apparatus (204a)in the stacked position.
The light apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light module (106) comprises a transparent cover (150), a generally-cylindrical heat sink (152) mounted on the upper portion (128) of the main body (104), and a plurality of vertically-elongated printed circuit boards (PCBs (156)) arranged on an outer circumference of the heat sink (152), and a plurality of light-emitting devices (158) (LEDs) mounted to each of the PCBs (156).
A light apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including:
a wireless communication unit (300) configured to communicate wirelessly with a computing device; and
a controller (302) configured to receive a control signal associated with at least one of a luminance intensity or lighting direction of the light module (106) from the computing device via the wireless communication (300) unit and a control the luminance intensity or lighting direction of the lighting module (106) based on the control signal.
The light apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication unit (300) is configured to connect wirelessly to the computing device after a user's selection of the light apparatus from a list of available light apparatuses displayed to the user.
The light apparatus of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the controller (302) is further configured to receive an on/off signal associated with enabling or disabling the light apparatus from the computing device via the wireless communication unit (300) and turn the light module (106) on or off accordingly.
The light apparatus of any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein the controller (302) is further configured to supply the computing device a status signal indicative of the power level of a battery pack (308) coupled to the light apparatus via the wireless communication unit (300).